One in five young drivers has no car insurance claims Motor Insurers' Bureau

Around one in five young people are driving without insurance, according to figures from the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB).

The MIB, which deals with compensation claims where the driver has no insurance, said as many as 25,000 drivers between the ages of 17 and 20 have no cover.

Drivers in this age group are four times more likely to be involved in claims to the MIB, the group added.

Ashton West, chief executive of MIB, said: "Britain has one of the worst records in Europe for driving uninsured - around five per cent of the population.

"While we recognise the financial pressures for drivers taking to the roads for the first time, it is also a criminal offence to drive without proper insurance cover.

"More than £500 million in funds from law-abiding motorists are used every year to compensate people for property damage and personal injury as a result of uninsured drivers."

Some young drivers cannot afford the high insurance premiums, while one in ten is not aware that driving without insurance is illegal, the MIB said.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance says: "I'm not surprised at these figures even though it is shocking to see this statistic confirmed.

"Uninsured driving is not a victimless crime. Young drivers are ten times more likely to be involved in a collision than more experienced drivers. If they have no insurance, any claim has to be met by the MIB which in turn, is funded by honest insurers."

But not all young drivers are reckless or irresponsible behind the wheel, the AA said.

The industry must find ways to recognise which young people are taking a more responsible attitude towards driving, and offer lower premiums to these motorists, the group said.